One of the many remarkable things about the 2011 race for Chicago mayor is the fact that for the first time in the city’s 174 year history, there will be two Latino candidates on the ballot.  Never before has that happened.  Not too long ago, the idea that a Latino could be a viable candidate to lead the nation’s third largest city was virtually unthinkable. 

While Latinos as a group comprise close to a third of the city’s population, their power at the ballot box is somewhat diminished.  That’s not just due to limited U.S. citizenship for some.  It’s also a reflection of the fact that more than a third of the population is under the age of 18.  As that population ages, it won’t belong before Latinos flex even more political power.

On this episode of the Best Game in Town, we take an in-depth look at the history of Latino political power in Chicago - and find out why the story of Latino politics is really the story of Chicago politics as a whole.

BGIT Latino Vote Mix.mp3